Barbara Nordling

Lawrence, Kansas – Barbara Ann Nordling, 94, formerly of Hugoton, Kansas, passed away peacefully March 27, 2023 at the Neuvant House of Lawrence, Lawrence, Kansas. She was born June 10, 1928 at Cordell, Oklahoma to Rosalie (Kuns) Burkholder and Clarence D. Burkholder.

Barbara was raised in McPherson, Kansas. She attended McPherson College for one year before transferring to the University of Kansas. Barbara met the love of her life, Bernard Erick Nordling in the summer of 1947 in McPherson when he returned from military service. They were married on March 26, 1949 after Bernie graduated from KU Law School. Bernie and Barbara decided to move to Hugoton in southwest Kansas, where he started practicing law and they began raising a family.

While living in Hugoton for 50 years and while raising their large family of five kids, Barbara contributed a great deal of her time and life to the well-being of her church and community. Barbara loved singing in the Methodist church choir and in a barbershop quartet. She also served on many church committees, including music and worship, flower and decorations, and served as youth leaders with Bernie for several years.

She served as a Girl Scout Troop Leader. Barbara was also instrumental in starting the Hugoton Community Theater. Barbara was an excellent and avid swimmer and founded a local water ballet team. She was a master gardener, and was quite active with painting, ceramics, macramé, and aerobics. Also, while in Hugoton at the age of 50, she began to express her creativity by taking oil painting classes, learning to paint portraits, landscapes, flowers, and birds.

While in Hugoton in the early 1980's Barbara was invited to become a member of the Advisory Board of the KU School of Fine Arts. When Bernie retired from the active practice of law in 1993, they both decided to move to Lawrence so they could enjoy the arts, and of course KU sports, where they made their permanent home.

As a member of the KU Fine Arts Board, Barbara was able to participate in the planning stages of the Lied Center for the Performing Arts. Barbara established a scholarship through the Kansas University Endowment Association for Kansas students living west of U.S. Highway 81 for any student interested in arts and design. Barbara proudly received the Ellsworth Medallion in 2001, 4 years after Bernie received his in 1997. The Fred Ellsworth Medallion is the KU Alumni Association's highest honor for extraordinary service to KU.

She cherished her service in numerous committees and organizations while in Lawrence, including: Campaign Kansas Southwest Kansas Committee; Life member of the Chancellor's Club; Lied Board of Governors; Lied Directors Search Committee; Dean of Fine Arts Search Committee; Friends of the Hall Center for the Humanities; KU Osher Lifelong Living Institute Board; KU Continuing Education; Lawrence Arts Center; Spencer Museum of Art of KU; Board member of the Women Philanthropists; WP4KU; Philanthropist to Theatre Lawrence; School of Music's Camerata Club; International Institute of Young Musicians; Jayhawks for Higher Education; Meadowlark Garden Club; and P.E.O. She and Bernie were also instrumental in forming the New Generation Society of Lawrence.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Bruce Burkholder, and sisters Janis Albert and Elaine Sayler.

Barbara is survived by her five children, daughter Karen and Mike Koehler of Lawrence, Kansas; daughter Kristine and Nick Stepaniuk of Chesterfield, Missouri; daughter Leslie and John Petz of Council Grove, Kansas; son Erick and Debbie Nordling of Hugoton, Kansas; and daughter Julie and Steve Andrews of Colorado Springs, Colorado. She is also survived by her grandchildren (by family): Karen's children, Daniel Koehler and Kalaina Mercer; Kristine's children, Karissa Gilkison Chott and Tyler Gilkison; Leslie's children, Jason Petz, Brandon Petz, and Cameron Petz; Erick's children, Erica Nordling, Ryan Nordling, and Burk Nordling; and Julie's children, Josh Snyder and Kylie Andrews, along with step-granddaughters, Marie Andrews and Shannon Andrews. In addition, she has twenty-two great grandchildren.

There will be a visitation from 2 to 4 p.m., Saturday, April 1, 2023 at the Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W 13th St, Lawrence, Kansas 66044.

Celebration of Life services are set for Sunday, April 23rd at 10:30 a.m. at the Lied Center in Lawrence. Interment will follow on Monday, April 24th at 10:30 a.m. at the McPherson Cemetery in McPherson, Kansas. Warren-McElwain Mortuary, Lawrence, will be handling the services.

In lieu of flowers, friends and family may send memorial contributions in Barbara's name to the Lied Center of Kansas, 1600 Stewart Drive, Lawrence, Kansas 66045, or may be sent in care of the Warren-McElwain Mortuary at the address listed above.

For more information or to post a condolence go to www.warrenmcelwain.com.